magistrate

(no subject)

I took her in to the vet this morning because she'd stopped eating entirely, and she'd been sneezing blood. There, it was pretty much confirmed that it was a cancerous mass eating away at the right side of her face; her gum was too raw even for light pressure, her eye was dying, and she couldn't smell. She also showed early signs of a heart murmur, and she'd lost three pounds in as many months.

Essentially, the only option was a panel of really invasive tests and procedures that might not have done anything for her, and I didn't want to put her through it. It came down to quality-of-life, and I don't think that a mad scrabble for any form of life, no matter how uncomfortable, is necessarily the best option – especially not with a creature who can't understand what's happening, or why they're being put through it. So I made the decision to have her euthanized.

And... that's that, I suppose. The world continues on as it always has; it's just lost one cat. I'm still processing. I knew it was coming, I just didn't know when; I've had some chance to prepare myself for it. I wish she'd had a better end, but life decides these things.

Oh, that is never pleasant... I sympathise, plainly. For what it's worth, I think you definitely made the right decision, and I know that doesn't always help how you feel. My best to you, and to Ajé, and her many years of having been a good cat.

Having a pet put down is difficult; at least, I remember what it was like having to put down Jet, and I'm not sure I'll ever stop second-guessing our decision. Then again, he wasn't quite as old or as sickly as Aje, and in both instances, it's like you say here: it comes down to quality of life.

She was a good cat. And I know we're all going to miss her. And I know I've said this many times for many different things, but if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. Or poke me on AIM, or throw a thing at my head, or anything. I'm not entirely sure I'm getting across the sentiment I want to, here, but at the very least: *headbomp* <3